Top Performers from SW Division I District Finals

<p>On Saturday I caught 3/4 SW Division I district final contests, those games were Elder 59 Vs LaSalle 46, Centerville 61 Vs Mason 42 and St Xavier 81 Vs Wayne 65. I also caught Harvest Prep’s 65-34 victory over Fredericktown this week. Here were the top performers from the games.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1138753" first="Sean" last="Keller"], 5’10 PG Elder 2022: For a game that was relatively low scoring, Keller had a quiet 17 point outburst to lead Elder to a district title. A steady presence at the point guard position, Keller plays like a seasoned vet on the court. Not the most athletic guard, Keller relies on his craft to finish around the basket.</p> <p>Carson Browne, 6’7 PF Elder 2023: Browne didn’t make a huge impact in this one, but the potential is easy to see with the 6’7 forward. Browne moves pretty well up and down the floor and got a bucket from his energy. While Elder relies on a bunch of seniors at the forward positions, I’m willing to bet Browne explodes onto the scene in the next two years.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="918984" first="Justin" last="Lovette"], 6’2 SG LaSalle 2021: Lovette did what he could to extend his high school career. The senior was efficient from the floor and made plays on both ends of the floor. Lovette hit a running 3-pointer to end the first half. With the numbers Lovette put up in the highly competitive GCL-South, I’m a little surprised he hasn’t received more buzz around his name.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="867934" first="Gabe" last="Cupps"], 6’0 PG Centerville 2023: Cupps is a media sensation, which sometimes begs the question on if the hype is warranted, Cupps proves time and time again that he’s a player ready for the big stage. In a district championship Cupps got his team going after a slow start offensively. On the defensive end, I will repeat time and time again how excellent Cupps is on that end of the floor. He’s such a disciplined defender as he can get his hands on the basketball or take a charge. With Cupps, [player_tooltip player_id="809612" first="Tom" last="House"] and [player_tooltip player_id="921745" first="Rich" last="Rolf"], Centerville appear to be potential state title favorites in 2021-22, but don’t count out this squad for this season either.</p> <p>Joe Kirby, 6’2 SG St Xavier 2021: Kirby went bananas from 3-point range in the first half, going 7/7 to lead his team to a 49-35 lead at the break. It was one of the best shooting display’s I’ve ever watched in my career watching high school hoops. Kirby just knows how to find space in transition and get open for just enough time for somebody to find him beyond the arc. D3 schools who are looking for a lights out shooter should be looking no further than Kirby.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="967136" first="Kobe" last="Rodgers"], 6’3 SG St Xavier 2021: I think it’s safe to say that Nova Southeastern stole [player_tooltip player_id="967136" first="Kobe" last="Rodgers"] as the senior SG is a clear Division I talent in my eyes. Rodgers is so explosive athletically as he makes plays on both ends that leave you in awe. Rodgers is so fluid in transition, making a couple sweet left handed layups with excellent footwork. Rodgers also impacted the game without scoring the basketball, something that I love seeing from top prospects. Rodgers had five assists, one steal and two blocks, and his impact was impossible to miss on the court.</p> <p>Louie Semona III 6’7 PF St Xavier 2022: Semona was a guy I’d never gotten a chance to see in person before this game and I left very impressed with the Junior. Semona is a bit of a swiss army knife, capable of doing a variety of things on the court. Semona is just a 34% 3-point shooter, but went 3/5 on 3’s in this one. He won’t blow you away with athleticism, but threw down a rim grazer dunk in the half-court. Semona showed nice moves in the post when he caught the ball with his back to the basket. Combine all these skills and you have one heck of a player. Semona will debut somewhere in the top 50 of our 2022 rankings when those get updated again.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1090148" first="Nyelle" last="Shaheed"], 6’4 PF Harvest Prep 2023: Shaheed is the only guy I’ll spotlight from Harvest Prep’s victory over Fredericktown, as the game doesn’t fit the title. It was the only other game I caught this week, so nowhere else to really put this report. Shaheed is the ultimate glue guy for Harvest Prep, doing all the little things to make a team successful. Shaheed plays with a ton of energy and heart. Whether it leads to him getting a put-back layup, a huge block or taking a charge, Shaheed is doing what it takes to win. Shaheed isn’t the most talented offensive player you’ll find, but if I’m playing at the park and it’s winner stays on, I’ll pick him up on my team.</p>